Letter
Dear
Epsom Voters,
Recently in Epsom, there has been talk about the need to rescind the
SB 2 ballot measure and go back to traditional town meetings. Since
1997, voters have been able to express their preferences to spending
measures involving our town and school in fiscal matters through
means of a secret ballot. With SB 2, many more residents are able to
vote during the course of a day and can even vote absentee if they
are not in town at that time instead of attending an all-day town
meeting.
With SB 2, residents have a greater say in how their hard-earned tax
dollars are spent, as opposed to feeling intimidated if they say no
to a certain spending measure in a public forum. With SB 2 voting,
voters have the ability to approve budgets when they are within the
rate of inflation and disapprove double-digit-percent increases, as
they have been here and in other towns in recent years.
While I agree that SB 2 may not be perfect, it is a legitimate way
for voters to vote their pocketbooks as they have always done. I do
not believe that it is a way to get back at someone or the town;
people vote on what they feel they can afford. Considering the
rising cost of food, transportation, and housing to name a few, it
is not surprising that this sentiment is real and inevitably will
affect how a budget or warrant article will fare. At a time when tax
caps, tax spikes, rising unemployment, wage freezes, and major
budget cuts are on the minds of everyone, doing away with SB 2 would
not appear to not be in the best interest of the majority of
taxpayers anywhere at this stage of the game.
Respectfully submitted,
Tom Langlais, Epsom
Thank
You All!
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all who contributed to the
4th annual Free Thanksgiving Dinner in Epsom. We saw a large
increase over last year and look forward to next year with all your
help.
Avery special thanks to the following people, churches and
businesses.
Dave & Pam, music coordinator and overseer of the various
coordinators
Caroline, coordinator of the kitchen help & helpers: Buckie, Wendy,
Wanda, Ian, and Sean.
Rebecca, coordinator of main dish servers and helpers: Rachel,
Emily, Eliza, Chloe, Laura and daughter, the Jakubens family, Ruth,
Linda, Cheryl & Steven, and Norma.
Dessert Coordinator and helpers: Cheryl, Mike, and Zac.
Greeter coordinator, Christina and helpers: David, Nick, Connor,
Eric, Calvin, and Jacob.
Take Home Meals coordinator, Lori and helpers: Alan, Derek, and
Shannon.
Wait staff coordinator, Wanda and helpers: Bob, Graham, Elizabeth,
Katie, Wanda, and Johnny.
Poster placers, Rebecca, Martin, Karen, Pam, and George.
Bus coordinator, John and helpers: Mike, Derek, Peter, and Bob.
Video & Still camera, Ian, Sean, and David.
Table and Chair transport: Martin, Ian, and Sean.
The Following Churches:
Higher Ground Ministries in Barnstead and Epsom, Bible Church in
Epsom.
The following Churches and Business that put up our posters:
Catholic Church in Northwood; Chichester Congregational Church in
Chichester; Barnstead Parade Church in Barnstead Parade; Higher
Ground Ministries in Barnstead: Epsom Bible Church in Epsom.
Hannaford’s in Northwood, Johnson’s Dairy Bar, Northwood Diner,
Northwood Market, Heritage Hardware, Twin M Market, Pittsfield
Laundro- mat, Danis Market, Granite Image, Dollar Store, Arnold
Bakery, Circle Market, Country Kitchen, Evans, Cumberland Farms,
Chichester Country Store, Blueberry Station, Bosco Bell, Pittsfield
Clothes Closet, Barnstead Country Store, White Buffalo Market, The
Suncook Sun and Kathy Bailey of the Manchester Union Leader, 911
Radio Station.
Town Offices of Northwood, Epsom, and Pittsfield.
Post Offices of Epsom, Northwood, Pittsfield, and Barnstead.
Presstek, Inc, of Hudson, NH, who printed the posters.
And to all who donated food, and those who I might have missed.
God’s blessings to you all !!
We would like to pray for all who contributed this year.
Heavenly Father, I ask a special blessing on all the people,
churches, and businesses who helped in some way this year, to serve
families in need. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Rev. George, Karen, Ian & Sean Reese of Reese Family Ministries
International.